Under The Alolan Sun

Izzyaro

Respect

Well, I have finally finished uni for the year, and actually have time to continue with this. Thank you for the reviews, favourites, and follows, and I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Phoebe whispered a final prayer and opened her eyes. It was early enough that Hau'oli Cemetery was deserted, and she preferred not to attract attention when paying her respects. There was a time and a place for being recognised, and this wasn't it.

Sableye shifted slightly, and Phoebe gave her a small smile.

"Yes, I'm finished, and we've got plenty of time before we meet Steven at the caves."

Sableye gave a soft, satisfied croon, and scrambled up onto Phoebe's shoulder. Phoebe chuckled and stood up, one hand raised to steady her partner. She turned to leave the cemetery, only to stop short.

Standing in the middle of the path was what had to be the largest Tauros she had ever seen. Phoebe tensed automatically, but although the Tauros kept its gaze on her, it made no threatening moves. Phoebe took a step closer, and when it only flicked its tail lazily, concluded that it was used to people. Smiling, she reached up to stroke its neck.

"Hello, there," she said softly. "Did you come to pay your respects too?"

Tauros snorted softly, and Phoebe reached into a pocket for some Oran berries. The large Pokémon accepted the offering gratefully, snorting up the berries in one mouthful and butting Phoebe gently with its head. Sableye chittered plaintively, and Phoebe gave her a soothing scratch before returning her attention to the Tauros.

"So, where did you come from?" she mused.

Tauros let out a deep rumble, but before Phoebe could try to decipher anything a booming voice rang out.

"Looks like you've made a friend."

Phoebe glanced round and saw an old man watching them. He looked to be around her grandmother's age, but was in far better shape. There were deep laughter lines creasing his face, and Phoebe liked him immediately. She took away from the Tauros and made a polite bow.

"They're very rare back home," she apologised. "I couldn't resist."

The old man chuckled, and patted the Tauros' flank. "Well, this fellow seems happy to meet you too. I doubt he's ever met a member of the Hoenn Elite Four before."

Phoebe blinked, and his eyes twinkled as he moved closer. "We might not have a League of our own, but we do try to keep an eye on our neighbours. Even the more distant ones." He held out a hand. "I am Hala."

Phoebe blinked as she recognised the name, and smiled as she shook his hand. "It is an honour to meet you, Kahuna."

"I see I'm not the only one to pay attention." His dark brown eyes twinkled as they looked her over. "You're a long way from Hoenn."

"A few of us were due a break," Phoebe told him. "And we'd heard a lot of good things about Alola."

"Hoho, I'm glad to hear it." He gave her and Sableye a considering look. "Ghost-types, I believe?" At her nod, he smiled. "We've got a few interesting ones here in Alola."

"That's one reason I wanted to come," Phoebe admitted. "I'm looking for a Mimikyu."

Hala chuckled. "They certainly are fascinating Pokémon." He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Talk to Acerola on Ula'ula Island. She's always happy to help a fellow Ghost enthusiast." He laughed again. "Actually, she's happy to help out just about anyone."

Phoebe smiled. "I'll be sure to visit. Thank you, sir."

Hala waved a hand. "Call me old Hala, everyone does." He shot her a knowing look. "Titles take up too much time."

"I couldn't agree more," said Phoebe fervently. They did deserve the respect they had earned, but they were on holiday. She and Sidney had been as relieved as Steven to leave the titles behind for a few weeks. Hala smiled, and walked up beside her to look out over the cemetery.

"No need for it here." He glanced at her. "Even if this is hardly typical tourist spot."

Phoebe caught the unspoken question and shrugged. "My grandmother lives on Mount Pyre. She raised me to respect the dead." Sableye crooned, and Phoebe rested a hand on her head. "I still have much to learn."

Hala's eyes softened, and he gave her a gentle smile but said nothing.

They stood in silence, watching the sun rise over Melemele Island, but after a minute Tauros raised its head and snorted. Phoebe turned, and felt Hala tense next to her, but a single glance down the path relieved her fears.

"It's all right. He's with me."

Sidney joined them a moment later, and held up a hand in a lazy salute. "Knew you'd be up here," he greeted her. He shoved a paper bag into her hands. "Knew you wouldn't have had breakfast either."

Phoebe's stomach rumbled on cue, and she smiled at him. "Thank you." She turned to Hala. "Sidney, this is Kahuna Hala."

Sidney straightened from his slouch and inclined his head politely. "Pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine." He glanced down, and his eyes twinkled. "I see you've been making friends."

Phoebe followed his gaze, and blinked at the sight of a small red and black Pokémon watching her curiously from behind Sidney's ankles. "He stayed?"

"Oh, yeah." He scratched the back of his head. "Nurse Joy healed him up. I told him he could do whatever, but he decided to stick around."

His shrug was deliberately casual, but Phoebe saw the delight in his eyes and had to smile. "He's got good taste." Sidney swelled up proudly, and she added, "For a future Dark-type."

Sidney deflated with a scowl, but Hala let out another booming laugh and clapped him on the shoulder hard enough to send him staggering. "You'll have to meet Nanu when you visit Ula'ula," he said. "He trains Dark-types also." His eyes twinkled. "I suspect you will get along."

Sidney's frown faded at that, and disappeared completely when Litten rubbed against his ankle with a purr. "Sweet. Been a while since I had some sane conversation."

"Wonder why that it is?" said Phoebe as sweetly as she could.

Sidney pulled a face at her, but Hala forestalled any bickering by crouching to pet Litten. The Fire-type let out a contented purr, and Hala smiled. "You must have impressed him. They are notoriously picky about who they choose to travel with."

Sidney ducked his head, but not before Phoebe saw his cheeks blaze red. She gave him a gentle nudge. "Told you he had good taste."

Litten purred agreement, and Sidney smiled, a proper smile, not his usual smirk. "Thanks." His smile faded slightly. "Still wish I'd been able to catch those jerks. No-one should treat Pokémon like that."

Hala's eyes narrowed. "Team Skull, I presume?" Both Elite Four trainers nodded, and his scowl deepened. "They're getting bolder. I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you," said Phoebe gratefully. The last thing they wanted was to have to deal with those idiots.

Hala nodded, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "If you could keep an eye out, I would appreciate it," he said. "A lot of young trainers begin their trials on this island, and Team Skull know it."

"We're happy to help," said Phoebe immediately. "We're meeting Steven and Wallace soon, and they take quite a dim view on this sort of thing too."

Sidney snorted. "Understatement of the century."

Phoebe let her smile turn sharp, and Sidney met her gaze in perfect understanding. At his feet, Litten flicked his tail to the side, his green eyes very bright. Hala just looked at them, and nodded.

They wouldn't go too hard on any troublemakers though. After all, they were on holiday.